Season Preview: Marty Reasoner

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Marty Reasoner

Position: Center
Height: 6'0"
Weight: 190 lbs
Birthdate: February 26th, 1977 (34 years old)
Birthplace: Honeoye Falls, New York, United States
Acquired: Signed Free Agent from Florida Panthers (2011)

2010-2011 Team: Florida Panthers
2010-2011 Stats: 82 GP - 14 G - 18 A - 32 P - 22 PIM
2011-2012 Team: New York Islanders
Team Role: Fourth Line Center

Last year: Reasoner was traded to the Panthers in 2010 from the Atlanta Thrashers for AHLer Jeff Taffe. He went to Sunrise and had a very productive season for the Panthers as one of their alternate captains. Reasoner tied a career high in goals (14) and set a career high in points (32) playing a decent amount of minutes. While the Panthers did not make the playoffs, Reasoner showed that he is a good leader and solid veteran, which made him an attractive free agent for teams needing a veteran presence in their bottom-six.

Expectations: Reasoner was signed by the Islanders on July 1 on a two-year deal to fill the void that Zenon Konopka left. Not in the sense of being a rah-rah kind of player or one that would drop the gloves, but in being a quiet leader who puts up quality two-way play with average production. There's no reason to believe that Reasoner will not be able to fulfill what the Islanders expect of him, which makes his signing both solid and safe.

Projections: 79 GP - 11 G - 16 A - 27 P

Thoughts:

CH: While the fourth line center was not a huge priority, it was certainly a spot on the roster than needed to be upgraded. When Garth Snow went out and signed Reasoner, we all praised the move as it was clear that he was an upgrade over Zenon Konopka. At 34, he is a seasoned veteran and should provide good support for the young veterans and rookies on the team. He can play masterful PK and can even chip in on the scoresheet. Overall, Reasoner fits the mold of what the Islanders have been looking for: players with high-level hockey sense, ability to play in all three zones, and possess a high character personality for the locker room. He was not a huge upgrade in name, but the difference between Reasoner and his predecessor should become obvious fairly quickly.

AT: At last, a 4th line center who doesn't need to rush back to the bench after the faceoff as to not create a liability on the ice! Reasoner was a fantastic addition as he is a veteran of the game yet still young enough to produce, can play the penalty kill and take crucial faceoffs, and can play a multitude of other roles efficiently, such as the 3rd line center role should an injury occur to Josh Bailey or Frans Nielsen. Our 4th line center wasn't the biggest hole that needed to be filled, but it was filled with the best possible choice on the market, and for that I am grateful.